Seasonal and phenological variations of the essential oil from the narrow endemic species Artemisia molinieri and its biological activities

J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Nov 19;51(24):7115-21. doi: 10.1021/jf034621y.

Abstract

The volatile components of the aerial parts of Artemisia molinieri, an endemic wormwood of southern France, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. Among the 69 compounds identified, major components were ascaridole (19-76%), alpha-terpinene (traces-36%), p-cymene (1-17%), 1,8-cineole (0.3-8%), and germacrene D (0.6-15%). Quantitative variations have been characterized following the season, the phenological cycle, and the aging of the plants. Bioassays have been performed on a sample of essential oil, which has shown a strong inhibition of the growth of both tested yeasts (Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. chevalieri) and minor activity on both tested Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus hirae). The oils have shown interesting antioxidant activities on the basis of alpha-tocopherol as reference compound, up to 400-1200%.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Antioxidants / analysis
  • Artemisia / chemistry*
  • Candida albicans / drug effects
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
  • Cyclohexanols / analysis
  • Cymenes
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Eucalyptol
  • Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
  • Monoterpenes / analysis
  • Oils, Volatile / chemistry*
  • Peroxides / analysis
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology
  • Seasons*
  • Staphylococcus aureus / drug effects

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Cyclohexane Monoterpenes
  • Cyclohexanols
  • Cymenes
  • Monoterpenes
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Peroxides
  • Plant Oils
  • ascaridole
  • 4-cymene
  • gamma-terpinene
  • Eucalyptol